Glass Girls By Danie Shokoohi Book Review

I keep thinking about Glass Girls by Danie Shokoohi. This midwestern Gothic horror pulled me in with its spooky story and strong feelings. Alice Haserot was a child medium before. Now she must deal with a scary family curse that puts her niece in danger. The book’s writing is clear and smooth. It has a new take on ghost stories that caught my attention.

Reader reviews say it is a “compelling blend” of family drama, witch fantasy, and psychological horror.
I think anyone who likes supernatural horror, family sagas, or stories that make you feel a lot should read it.

Key Takeaways

Glass Girls blends spooky ghost stories with deep family drama, making it more than just a horror book.
The story features strong, real characters facing a family curse, with emotions that feel raw and true.
Readers who enjoy thoughtful, emotional stories with a fresh take on ghosts will find this book hard to put down.

Recommendation

Who Should Read It

I have to admit, I read Glass Girls by Danie Shokoohi late into the night. I kept telling myself, “Just one more chapter,” but I couldn’t stop. If you love stories that mix family drama with a spooky twist, this book will grab you. I think it speaks most to readers who want more than just a scare.

Gillian Flynn, who published this book, says women connect with crime and thriller stories because they know fear in real life. I see that here. The story feels real and raw, especially for women who want to see their own worries and strength in a book.

Here’s who I think will enjoy it most:

Fans of ghost stories with a fresh spin
Readers who like family secrets and curses
Anyone who wants a book that makes them feel something deep
Women who enjoy thrillers that explore fear and human psychology

If you want a book that makes you think and feel, this one is for you.

Standout Qualities

I have to give props to the way this book blends horror with real emotion. It’s not just about things that go bump in the night. The story digs into family pain and what it means to protect someone you love.

Some things that stood out to me:

Atmosphere: The setting feels chilling and real. I could almost hear the wind outside Alice’s house.
Character depth: Alice isn’t just a scared woman. She’s strong, flawed, and trying her best.
Fresh take on ghosts: The supernatural parts surprised me. They felt new, not like every other ghost story.
Emotional punch: Some scenes left me gasping. I felt the fear and sadness right along with the characters.

To be fair, not every book makes me feel this much. Glass Girls by Danie Shokoohi does. If you want a story that sticks with you, give it a try.

Glass Girls by Danie Shokoohi: Plot

Main Characters

I got hooked on Alice Haserot right away. She’s not your usual horror heroine. She used to talk to ghosts as a kid, but now she just wants a normal life. That never works out, does it? Her niece, Lottie, brings a whole new layer of worry.

I felt Alice’s fear every time Lottie got close to the family’s secrets. The side characters, like Alice’s mother and the mysterious neighbors, kept me guessing. Each one felt real, not just there to move the story along.

Alice Haserot: Former child medium, now a protective aunt
Lottie: Alice’s niece, curious and brave
Supporting cast: Family members and neighbors with their own secrets

Setting and Atmosphere

The setting in Glass Girls by Danie Shokoohi gave me chills. The story takes place in a small Midwestern town. Everything feels quiet, but you know something is wrong. The old house creaks at night. The wind outside sounds like whispers.

I could almost smell the damp earth and feel the cold air on my skin. The author paints a picture that’s both beautiful and creepy.

The atmosphere made me want to keep the lights on. I felt like I was right there with Alice, peeking around every corner.

Central Conflict

The heart of the story is the family curse. Alice wants to protect Lottie, but the past won’t let go. Ghosts, secrets, and old pain keep coming back. I kept asking myself, “Would I be brave enough to face this?” The tension builds with every chapter. I couldn’t put it down because I needed to know if Alice could break the cycle.

Family curse threatens the next generation
Alice must face her own fears to save Lottie
The supernatural mixes with real family pain

Themes

Family Trauma

I felt the weight of family pain in every chapter. Glass Girls by Danie Shokoohi doesn’t just show ghosts. It shows how old wounds haunt families for years. Alice’s fear for Lottie hit me hard. I saw how secrets and mistakes pass from one generation to the next.

Sometimes I wanted to yell at the characters, “Just talk to each other!” but I understood why they stayed quiet.

The curse felt real because the family’s pain felt real.
I saw how love and fear can mix together and make people act in strange ways.

This book reminded me that family can be both a comfort and a curse.

Female Autonomy

Alice’s fight for control over her life stood out to me. She doesn’t want to be just a victim or a tool for ghosts. She wants to protect Lottie and make her own choices. I cheered for her every time she pushed back against her family’s rules.

The women in this story feel strong, even when they’re scared.
I liked seeing Alice try to break free from old patterns.

Supernatural Elements

The ghostly parts gave me chills. I didn’t know what would happen next, and that kept me turning pages. The supernatural in this book isn’t just for scares. It ties into the family’s pain and secrets.

Ghosts show up when the past refuses to stay buried.
The spooky scenes felt fresh, not like every other haunted house story.

I’ll be honest, some moments left me gasping and checking the shadows in my own room.

Writing Style

Prose and Tone

I have to give props to Danie Shokoohi for her clear and honest writing. The words feel sharp, but never too fancy. I noticed the sentences move fast, almost like Alice is running from her own thoughts. The tone feels raw and real. Sometimes, I caught myself holding my breath because the story felt so close.

The dialogue sounds natural, like real people talking in a kitchen late at night.
Shokoohi never tries too hard to scare you. The fear sneaks up, quiet and steady.
I liked how the author mixed sadness and hope. It made the scary parts hit even harder.

To be fair, some lines made me pause and reread. The writing style fits the story’s mood—dark, but not hopeless.

Pacing

I couldn’t put it down. The story moves at a steady pace, never dragging. Each chapter ends with a little hook that made me say, “Just one more.” I finished the book in two sittings because I needed to know what happened next.

No long, boring stretches
Every scene feels important
The tension builds slowly, then hits all at once

If you like books that keep you turning pages, this one delivers.

Narrative Structure

The story sticks close to Alice’s point of view. I felt like I was inside her head, seeing every fear and hope. The chapters jump between past and present, but I never got lost. That back-and-forth made the family secrets feel even heavier.

Flashbacks fill in the gaps without slowing things down
The structure helps you understand why Alice acts the way she does

I’ll be honest, the way the story unfolds kept me guessing until the end.

Sensitive Topics

I want to give you a heads-up before you jump into this book. Glass Girls by Danie Shokoohi does not shy away from tough subjects. Some scenes made me pause and take a breath. The story deals with:

Family trauma: The pain between mothers, daughters, and nieces feels real. Sometimes it gets heavy.
Grief and loss: Characters struggle with sadness and memories that haunt them.
Mental health struggles: Alice’s fear and anxiety come through in her thoughts and actions.

Some moments left me feeling raw. I had to put the book down for a minute and just sit with my feelings.

The author never uses shock just for the sake of it. Still, if you feel sensitive to stories about family pain or emotional distress, you might want to take it slow. I didn’t see anything too graphic, but the mood stays dark.

Age Suitability

I would not hand this book to a younger reader. The themes feel too mature for kids or tweens. I think teens and adults will get the most out of it. If you’re in high school or older, you’ll probably connect with Alice’s struggles.

Recommended for ages 16+
Not for middle schoolers or anyone looking for a light, easy read

If you like stories that make you think and feel, and you’re okay with some emotional weight, you’ll find a lot to love here. If you want something lighter, you might want to wait until you’re ready for a story that digs deep.

Strengths and Weaknesses

What Works Well

I have to give props to Glass Girls by Danie Shokoohi for how much it made me feel. This book didn’t just scare me—it made me care about the characters. Here’s what stood out:

The writing feels tight and polished. Every word counts. I could feel Alice’s family pain in every scene.
The story jumps between Alice’s present and her childhood. This back-and-forth made the secrets hit harder and kept me guessing.
The setting is classic Midwestern Gothic, but the ghost story feels fresh. I didn’t see the twists coming.
The book explores deep family bonds and the way old pain sticks around. I saw myself in some of those moments.
The supernatural parts don’t just show up for scares. They tie into the family’s history and make the story richer.

Some scenes left me gasping. I finished the last page and just sat there, thinking about Alice and Lottie.

Possible Drawbacks

To be fair, no book is perfect. Glass Girls by Danie Shokoohi has a few rough spots:

The first chapters feel a bit heavy with background. I wanted the spooky stuff to start sooner.
The story deals with tough family pain. Sometimes, I had to put the book down and take a breath.
If you want nonstop action, this book might feel slow at times. The focus stays on feelings and memories.

I’ll be honest, the emotional weight might not work for everyone. But if you like stories that dig deep, you’ll find a lot to love here.

I finished Glass Girls by Danie Shokoohi and just sat there, thinking. This book gave me chills and made me care. If you love stories with haunted families and real emotion, you’ll want this on your shelf.

Dionysus Review Rating: 7/10
Perfect for fans of Gothic horror and deep family drama.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Glass Girls by Danie Shokoohi scary or just sad?

I felt both. The book gave me chills with its ghostly moments, but the family pain hit just as hard. It’s not just a scary story.

Do I need to like horror to enjoy this book?

Not really! If you care about family drama and strong characters, you’ll find a lot to love. The spooky parts add flavor, but the heart is the family.